Title: Lord of the Silver Bow
Author: David Gemmell
First published January 1, 2005
483 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780345494573 (ISBN10: 0345494571)
Rating: 4.34
Overview
He is known by many names – the Golden One, the Lord of the Silver Bow, and to the Dardanians, he is Prince Aeneas. But to his friends, he is simply known as Helikaon.
Skilled in battle and quick of mind, Helikaon is feared by his enemies and even by his Trojan allies. But there is a darkness lurking within him, a savage side that can only be satisfied with bloodshed.
Argurios the Mykene is a warrior like no other, with unbending principles and an unbreakable will. He lives for conquest and killing, and has been sent by King Agamemnon to scout the defenses of the golden city of Troy.
He and Helikaon are sworn enemies, and their paths are set to collide.
Andromache, a priestess of Thera, is betrothed to Hektor, prince of Troy, against her wishes. She is skilled in the art of war and is passionate about living life on her own terms.
Her vow to love whom she pleases and live as she desires will ultimately bring her into the path of both Helikaon and Argurios.
Fate is about to bring these three together, igniting a fire of passionate love and hate that will engulf the world. David Gemmell’s masterful prose, driving plots, and full-bodied characters shine through in this epic reimagining of the Trojan War.
Brace yourself for an ageless drama of honor and treachery, of love won and lost, and of brave deeds and fierce battles.
About the Author
David Andrew Gemmell, a British author of heroic fantasy, captured the hearts of readers with his bestselling novels. Prior to his career as a novelist, Gemmell worked as a journalist and newspaper editor.
His first published work of fiction emerged in 1984, and he continued to pen over thirty novels. Gemmell’s debut book, Legend, remains his most well-known work, characterized by a display of violence as well as themes of honor, loyalty, and redemption.
To date, his books have sold over one million copies worldwide, and his legacy as a master storyteller lives on.
Editoral Review
Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell is a thrilling adventure that transports readers to ancient Greece, where heroes and gods collide. Gemmell, who is considered one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time, crafts a legend that is both epic in scope and intimate in character.
Set during the Trojan War, the novel introduces readers to three complex and dynamic heroes: Helikaon, also known as Aeneas, prince of Dardania and a strategic mastermind; Odysseus, the cunning king of Ithaca; and Andromache, the former queen of Troy who seeks revenge against her husband’s killer. Through their eyes, we witness the political machinations, bloody battles, and supernatural interventions that shape the fate of nations.
Gemmell’s writing style is both effortless and evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of ancient Greece with vividness and authenticity. His dialogue crackles with wit and emotion, his action scenes pulse with adrenaline, and his themes of honor, love, and sacrifice resonate with timeless relevance.
One of the strengths of Lord of the Silver Bow is its character development. Each protagonist is fully fleshed out, with strengths and flaws that make them human and relatable.
Helikaon, in particular, is a fascinating character whose moral compass is challenged by the demands of war and leadership. The pacing of the novel is brisk, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and guessing.
Gemmell knows how to ratchet up the tension and deliver satisfying payoffs. His ability to balance multiple plot threads and character arcs is impressive, and he never loses sight of his thematic throughline.
Although the novel is steeped in historical and mythological context, it never feels didactic or overwhelming. Instead, it serves as a rich backdrop for the universal themes that Gemmell explores.
Moreover, the novel’s exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and cultural clashes has a powerful resonance in today’s world. If there is a weakness to Lord of the Silver Bow, it is that some readers may find the violence and brutality of the Trojan War scenes to be too graphic or unsettling.
However, these scenes are integral to the story and are not gratuitous. Overall, Lord of the Silver Bow is a triumph of fantasy literature.
It showcases David Gemmell’s skills as a master storyteller and his ability to imbue larger-than-life characters with emotional depth and complexity. Fans of epic fantasy, historical fiction, and adventure tales will find much to love in this thrilling saga.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.